Centrifugal self-balancing separator or clarifier.



H, A. RIGGS. CENTRIFUGAL SELF BALANlNG SEPARATOR 0R CLARIHER.

APPLICATION FXLED IAN1 I, 19H5.

Patented Oat. E), 1917.

2 SHEETS--SHEET l.

4 TTOHNE K H` A. RIGGS.

CENTRIFUGAL SELF BALANCXNG SEPARATOH OR GLARIFIEH. APPLrcAUoN FILED1ML?, 191s..

1,242,866. Patented oct. s, 1917.

als

efficiency of operation of the bowl at all times. This construction alsopermits the use of the desired rifrid or lxed bearings for the bowlspindle ainljprevents excessive wear of the gears by holding thc gearsin proper mesh when ooerating, which result cannot be obtained when thebowl spindle is mounted in a yielding upper bcaringulllowing the gearsto go out of the pitch line of mesh and cramping the spindle in itslower bearing, further causingr the machine to run hard.

An object of the invention also is to im prove the construction of theseparating apparatus so :is to induce sanitary practices in theoperation and care of machines de signed for separating butter fat frommilk.

Vllith the above-mentioned, and other objects which will hereinafterclearly appear, in view, the invention consists essentially and morespecifically in providing a gravity-balancing centrifugal separatingappar ratus structure having a non-yielding supporting and operatingshaft; the inveiition consisting also further in the novel parts, and inthe combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularlydescribed and further defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a populailtypo of cream separator to which the invention is applied to indicatethe character of apparatus with which the invention is mostadvantageously applied; Fig. 2 is a fragment-ary elevation of the creamseparator partially in section; Fig. 3 is a top plan of the bowl orseparator device of the machine; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a novelcap and feefbtube adapted for securing the difierent parts of the bowltogether; F ig. 5 'is a fragmentary section approximately on the line A.A. on Fig. 2 looking upward; Fig. o is a central ection of the cap andfeed-tube connecter to the bowl center of which the upper portion isshown as being mounted on the upper portion of the supporting shaft ofthe bowl or separating apparatus; l"ig 7 is a top lplan of the shaft;Fig. 8 is vertical section on the line VB B on Fig. 3; lig. 9 is afragmentary section also on the line `B B; Fig. 10 is a fragmentarysection approximately on the line C C on Fig. 8 looking upward; Fig. 11is a perspective view of the upper or neck portion of the separatorshell; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section, as on the lino B B but slightlymodied to adapt the apparatus 4for use as a clarifier of liquids; and.Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section also on the line B B, butpslightlymodified as to details.

Similar reference charactersmn the different figures of the drawingsindicate corresponding elements or features of construction hereinreferred to.

The machine illustrated for descriptive purposes comprises a base orstandv 1 on which is a main frame 2 supporting a casing "l and astationary journal box 1 at the bottom of the casing, and also anotherstm tional-y journal box 5 in a. lower position, a shafteend bearing 6being supported by the frame below the lower box. A. separator shaft 7is rotatably mounted in the journal boxes 4 and 5 with its lower cndupon the bearing 6, and it has spiral gear teeth 8 thereon between thejournal boxes. A main shaft 9 .is rotatably mounted in the main frameand has a gear wheel 10 secured thereto, and when the machine isdesigned to be operated bv hand the shaft 9 is pro vided with a crankll. A counter-shaft 12 is mounted also in the frame and has a pinion 13and a gear wheel 1.4 secured thereto, the pinion being in mesh with thewheel l0, the wheel 14 being in mesh with the gear teeth 8 of the shaft7. The shaft 7 being mounted in firmly supported journal boxes is notvibrated by the driving action of the wheel 14. A pan 15 is removablysupported upon the casing 3 to receive the skimmed milk and has a. spout16 thereon, the pan removably supporting another pan 1T to receive thecream separated. from the milk and discharge it through a spout 18connected to the pan. The pan 17 has a removable cover 19 which supportsa feedcup 20 usually having a ioat 21 therein to automatically controlthe fiow of the milk from a vessel 22 supported on the frame and havinga faucet 23 arranged above the float, the latter features being wellknown. i

The separating apparatus comprises ahollow bowl center 24 of improvedform and larger than the shaft 7 in diameter, so that when the shaft issupporting the bowl and not supported in exactly vertical position thebowl is not forced `out of balance or level position. Preferably thecenter is slightly tapered so as to have an inclined exterior presentedto the liquid to be acted upon.

An apparatus of the character set forth comprises various we1lknownelements, as a bowl bottom 25 fixed to the bowl center; a shell.separating disks, and variously formed passages for the liquid.

In t e present case an improved distribut ing-tube 26 is provided thatis renter in diameterthan the bowl center 2 and extends about the centerfrom the bowl bot i tom upward and tout plane above the center, l

in spaced apart arrangement and extend:

outward Vlrom the wings Bil. being slotted to receirif the wings; 3l.The uppermost one ol the disks` supports a cover 33 having a neck of!that greater in diameter and eX- tends about the tube :lo above thedisks, the noch ol they coier preferably having a tapered upper portion35 in the upper end ol ehich ara,l :dots JU and 3T for the escape o"liquid. The shell olI the howl comprises a rylunlrical portion C55having connection with a j iacltingrring 39 supported by the bottom ol.the bowl, and a conical top por tion l0 provided with spacers lil thatextend to the cover 33. The shell has; a neck 42 haring a tapered upperportion that embraces the tapered portion 35. ln some eases the neck lzhas a relatively thicker wall than the rrmaininff portions ot' theshell, the. Vinside ol' the wall of the neck haviin;lr von ticalchauzirh 'il and l5 that cfnnmunicati i with the space under theVconical portion lli of the lshell and extend nl )n'ard lo slots Llli andli' respectiwly that are i'ornied in the wall tor the ese-apc ot'liquid. i'iegulator pl s vlf' and vl5l are r-clewcd into the Heck l2 lorthe purpose ot partially closing the channels lland l5 respectively. Thetop end ol the tapered portion 43 of the neck has slots 50 and hltherein that are in register with the slots 230 and $57, respectively.ln order to improve iluA internal structure of the bowl, more especiallyin the interest of sanitation` 'the boul een er -l provided with aclosure head T2 on its top that has a conical top l'iufe 5211. 'l'hehead is provided with external :screw threads vl to which a norcllooting; device is eonnccteiil, the de* vire comprising a 'liceiltnbe 5Tlowing in-,f ternal screw-1hr::ids lul for engaging Vtire screwthreads:"il, the tube being; .inserted in the` conliaetrd neel: porti-:rn olZl'he dis'- tril.niting;f-tniie in coulant thcrenf'ith and han ing a tapHarige 16T tln-,reon that extends over and in contact with the tops ofthe neck portions 55 and 43, thus normally locking the diierent parte ofthe bowl to gether and permitting;` e aivenient disuniting of the partefor cleansing purposes. The tube 55 has apertures 58 therein adjacent tothe inclined top 53 which evenly divides the liquid to the aperturesvvlien received into the tube.

In order to pivotally support the bowl or separator apparatus in anirproved man ner so that it shall be free to hang in level positionvwhether its supporting shaft is exactly vertical or is slightlyinclined. the under Iside of the head .f has a socket 59 therein whichpreferably is conical in contour so as to be self-centered on itssupport, and two driving pins G() and 6l are fixed to the head andextend downward into the socket. The separator shaft 7, which issulliciently long to extend upward in the bowl center 24 to the head 52,the latter bring' located a Jaeent to the higher portion ol' theiuu'wrniost one of the separator disks, has a conical top (r2, so that apivotal centering point is provided, the upper portion ol the shafthaving recesses (33 an( (34' therein adjacent to the periphery of theshaft lo receive the driving-pins (it) and (il. 'lhe driving devices,however, that enable tlua shaft to rotate the apparatus are not ofiecessity constructed exactly as described.

ln some cases a cushion or shock-absorber may be desired within the baseof the bowl to prevent unnecessary oscillation of the bowl on its shaft,or to absorb the shock in case the bowl is accidentali y thrustsidewise, and such cushioning devices may' suitably comprise a collar 65from which spring,- inggers UG and 13G' oflctend. the collarconstitoting the middle. portion of a plu 'ality of lumvshaped springs'connected together by liu-` collar, the collar extending about the shaltand in ("ontact with the inside of the bowl center 24, the ends of thespring lingers beingr in contact, with the shaft which is provided withsluiulders (i7 and (38 to keep the springs in proper place near thelower end of the bowl center.

lu Some cases the cushion may be composed of a collar 69 placed incontact with the shaft and having spring-lingers 7U and 70' thereonextending to the inside of the bowl center 24, the latter havingshoulders 7l and 72 forholding the springs in proper position in thelower portion ot' the bowl center. v

When the separator is not designed for separating crean'i from wholemilk, but is desired to be used for clarifying purposes, the neck 42 isdevoid of the outlet channels, and thc neck 34 has apertures 73 and 74therein so to orin passages from the space under the conical portion "l0ot' the shell to the space between the tube 2G and the neck 35, so thatall the liquid may escape together through the apertures 5() and ilwhile the sedimentary matter gravitates to the bottom ot' the bowl.

"lhe machine, as will be understood, is set ,so that. the separatorshaft T shall, be, upright, but in mostfeases in practice the user isunable to secilro accurate perpcndicnlarity of the slparator shaft butcan only approximate sui-h arrangenn-nt. ln the present case while` theshaft is rotated, although in i slightly ixiclined position, theseparator bowl constantly finds its level automatically on its pivotalsupport, through the force ot gravity, with the result that uniformdistriluition of the liquid in the separator is attained and the loss ofbutter fat is avoided. In operation, as will be understood. the wholemilk is fed into the tube 55, deiected evenly through the apertures 5Sto the inside ot'lhe distributing-tube 2li, and thence tl-z ngh theslots 2), the separation occurring between tlicI separator disks. Thebutter fat or cream is forced out of the aper. tures 50 and 5l whiletlie slrin'iincd milk is forced through the channels 44 and 45 and theapertures 4G and 47. 'l`lie thickness or richness of the creani inay bevaried by iiicans of the plugs 4B and l'i9 which act as valves in theadjacent channels, as will be uinlerstood. lly should bc understood thattlie cushion between the separator bowl and its shaft is suilicientlyweak to permit the loaded separator bowl to automatically ad just itselfto balanced level position in operation.

Various features relating to the bowl structure, which may not beclaimed herein, form the subjcctanalter oi a divisional application forLetters latcnl filed VMay 2i, 1916, Serial Number Sinjliu.

l-layii-ig thus discribcd he inveiiitioii, what is claimed as nen'is- 1. A centrifugal separator or clarifier iiicluding a. rotatableupright shalt, and a separator bowl pivotallv mounted directly upon andloosely clutclicd lo the shaft lo be rotated thereby.

2. A ceiitrifugal creain separator including an upright shaft, aYseparatingr device pivotally mounted directly on the slnilt. and afreely-yieldable cushioning device interposed between the shaft and theseparating device.

3. A centrifugal separator or clarifier including an upright rotatableshaft, a separating device pivotally mounted directly on the shaft to berotated thereby, and a freelyyieldable sprin lrcushiou interposedbetween the sli-aft and t e separating device.

4. A centrifugal separator or clarifier including an upright shaftrotatably supported to be laterally non-yielding, and a separator bowlhaving a pivotal support directly upon und loosely clutched to theshaft. vvhei'chv the bowl is balanced while permitting in clination ofthe shaft.

5. A centrifugal separator or clarifier indluding a shaft, a pivotallysupported and rotatable se arating' device mounted directly on the shaand an elastic bearing supported within the bese portion of the deviceand yieldingly resistinglhoscillation of the device laterally withrespect to its axis of rotation.

6. A centrifugal separator or clarifier including an upright supportedrotatable shaft having a. conical top, a separator bowl having acentering bearing supported directly upon the central extremity of theconical top, and means enabling the shaft to rotate the bowl. y 1

7. A centrifugal Separator or clarifier includingi, an upright rotatableshaft, and a separating apparatus having a universaljoint balancing andcoupling connection di'- rect with the top of the shaft for rotatingbear-iin;` above the center of gravit) thereof,

and :i supporting shaft extending upward in thc bowl free from contacttlierewith to and directly supporting thc center-bearing, and meansloosely clutchingl the centenbi-earing to thc shaft to pcrn'iitii'iclination of the sha l't and rradtv-balancing of the bowl.

lll 'i ccnl riiiugal sclinraioi or clariier includine' a .separa/lingdevice provided with a central pivotal support arranged above the centerol grin ily of llic device and enabling the device to be balanced b vgravitation, means adjacent to tlie pivotal supports for relating thedevice.Y and a yielding appli ance cooperating with the separatingdevice and in direct contact therewith to resist oscillation of thedevice on its pivotal support.

ll. A centrifugal separator or clarifier includingr a separator bowlhaving a. centering bearing device inte ral With the bowl center andbowl base, an a supporting shaft extending upward and freely in the bowlto the bearing device, the. bearing device being supported directly onthe shaft to balance the bowl ani'l permitting inclination of the shaftrelatively to the balanced bowl.

l. ccntrifugal separator or clarifier' incl-ruling a traine, a shaftrotatably sup ported nonvicldiu." by the frame, a separating deviceprovided with a pointed bear' ing connection with the shaft directlySupporting the device in balanced position above the center of gravityof the device and means in proximity to the pointed bearing connectionenabling the sha-ft to rotate the separating device.

13. A centrifugal separator or clarifier including an upright rotatableshaft, a separating apparatus having a universallyjointed pivotalcentral connection direct with the shaft to bodily support the apparatusabove itscenter of gravity whereby the apparatus is enabled to rotate inbalanced position on inclination of the shaft, and means for removablyconnecting the apparatus with the sha-ft to rotate the apparatus.

14. A centrifugal separator or clarifier including an upright supportedrotatable sha ft. a separating device supported above its center ofgravity on and removably clutched cone connection provided with positivemeans for couplingr the shaft direct to the bowl center'. clearancebetween the bowl and shaft to enable the bowl to revolve on an axisindependent ci. the axis of the shaft, and a llexible springcushion'bearing di rectly against the shaft and bowl center to reducethe oscillations of thebowl.

29. In a cream separator or clarilicr, a cone connection directlybetween the shaft and bowl center, means for locking tbc shaft and bowlcenter in positive engagement above the center of gravity of the bowl,and a flexible spring engaging both shaft and bowl center co-acting withgravity to balance the bowl.

30. In a centrifugal self-balancing scparater or clarifier, thecombination of an approximately vertical shaft rotatably .eupported tobe laterally' riodyielilingr, and n separator boul pivotally mounteddirectly upon and loosely clutched lo tbc shaft tn be rotated thereby.

31. In a centrifugal self-balancing sopa ratOr or clarifier, thecombination ci" an approximately vertical rotatable shalt liaring alaterally non-yielding.;` axis, a separat ing device pivotally mounteddirectly on the shaft, and a freely-yieldab'le cushioning de.- viceinterposed between tbe shaft and tbe Separating device.

32. In a centrifugal self-balancing; separator or clarifier, thecombination of an approximately vertical rotatable sb aft, rigidbearings guiding the shaft, a separating device pivotally mounteddirectly on the shaft t0 be rotated thereby, and a freelyf-yieldablespring-cushion interposed between the shaft and the separatingr deviceadjacent ic the rigid bearings.

33. In a centrifugal seltbalancing soparator or cla1iliei.,tliecombination of an approximately vertical shaft rotatably snp ported tobe laterally nonyielding, and a separator bowl of the conical disk typehaving a pivotal support directly upon and loosely clutched to theshaft, whereby the bowl is balanced on the laterally non-yield ing shaftwhile permitting' inclination of the bowl.

34. In a centrifugal selfbalancing separator or clarifier, thecombination of an approximately vertical rotatably supported unitaryshaft having a conical top, a rigid bearing guiding the shaft, aseparator bowl having a centering bearingiadjacent to its top andsupported upon the conical top, and means enabling said shaft to rotaiethe bowl.

35. In a centrifugal self-balancing separator or clarifier, thecombination of a separating device with conical disks therein, arotatable unitarv upright shaft for supporting the separating device,means for supporting, and automatically balancing the separa-ting devicedirectly upon the Shaft adjacent tollbe uppermost one of the disks, :unlconnecting means enabling the Shaft to rotate the device.

36. VIn a centrifugal self-balancing sepas raler or clarifier, thecombination of a 'lirumly a sbal't rotatably supported non- ,iiclilingly by lin. frame, a separating; device ol' the conical disk typeprovided adjacent lo ille ui'ipermost one oi" the disks with a pointedbearing connection with the shaft directly supporting the device inbalanced position, and means in proximity to tbe pointed bearingconnection having freely separable ei'igageinent with the shaft andenablingr the shaft to rotate the separating device.

37. ln a centrifugal self-balancing soparator or clarifier. tbccombination with a counting or clarifying device. and an up rigflilrelai-aille shaft. of a rigid bearing guiding tbv .ai-.ais lo brlaterally nonyiclfl ing, means for pirot-ay und removably moulding; indevice direct ou llic shaft :klim r lic venir-r of gravity oi' tlirflexion und barley.' ifi-iwi separable moans enabling: ilu haft :oinizia the iicficc. and near incollaY nism for rotating ibo sli-aft.

ln a centrifugal eclibalancing separator or clarifier, the combinationof a separating o1' clarifying device of the conical disk type, aunitary rotatable shaft balancingl and dri ring the device, a springmounted directly on the shaft in connection with said device, and adriving gear for rotating the Shaft.

39. ln a centrifugal self-balancing sepaY rator or clarilier. thecombination. of an up right shaft, ille. top of the shaft having acentra! point, and a separating appliance lompiising a hollow bowlrenter provided with o, bearing portion baring supporting contact 'withsaid point.

40, ln a centrifugal selt'balancing separator or clarifier, thecombinationl of an ups right shaft having a conical top, and ascparating appliance comprising a hollow bowl center having a bearingportion that is coni cal in contour, the apex of the bearin portionhaving supporting contact Wit the apex of the conical top of the shaft.

4l. In a centrifugal self-balancing separator or clarifier, thecombination of a rigid bearing, an uprightunitary shaft rotatably guidedin the bearing and having a conical. top provided with a centeringpoint, a Separating appliancel comprising a hollow bowl center having abearin portion in contact with said point, sai bowl center extendingdownward continuously about .said shatapproximatel to said bearing, andan elastiebearing adiacent to said rigid bearing and between. said shaftand said bowl center.

42. ln a centrifugal self-bblancin separater or clarifier, thecombination o a sep ffl ator bowl comprising a conical top and a hollowbowl center extending upward ap-4 proximately to the plane of the upperend of said top, said center having a centerbearing therein in proximityto theA plane of said top, an integrally unitary rotatable shaftextending upward in the bowl center free from contact therewith to andsupporting said center-bearing, and means loosely clutching saidcenter-bearing to said shaft.

43. In a centrifugal self-balancing separator or clariiier, thecombination of an-upright' rotatable shaft, the top of the shaft havinga conical point, a rigid bearing guiding and preventing lateral movementof the shaft, and a hollow bowl center and separator disks thereon, thesaid center haw ing a bearing portion arranged adjacent to the plane ofthe uppermost one of the separator disks, said bearing portion beingseated directly upon said conical point Vand being freely removabletherefrom,- with means for loosely clutching said bowl center to saidshaft. l

44. In a centrifugal self-balancing separator or clarifier thecombination of a unitary upright rotatable shaft, a rigid bearingguiding and preventing lateral movement of the shaft, a separatingappliance of the conical disk type provided with a centerbearingapproxlmately at the top of the upermost one of the disks, saidcenterfbearlng bein pivotally supported upon said shaft an 'permittinggravity-balancing of the separatm appliance, and driving gearing`connecte' with said shaft below said rigid bearing. i, 45. In .acentrifugal self-balancing sepa.-

rator or clarifier; the combination of an upright shaft having a conicaltop, a separator bowl having a hollow centerextndivi'l? `apex of theconical 'loosely arranged on about the' shaft and provided with aclosure headlixed to the center, the head bein provided in its underside with a bearing socket havin a conical contour and receiving theconica top of the shaft, the

top' pivotally supporting said head, and means coperating with the shaftand the hollow center for ieldingly resisting pivotal movement o saidhead on the apex of said conical top.

46. In a centrifugal self-balancing se arator or clarifier, thecombination o a frame, a step bearing supported in the frame, a mainbearing rigidly supported bg the frame above the step bearing, a sharotatably supported on the step bearin and extending upward through themain ear ing, the shaft being continuousl and llaterally non-flexible, agear fixed to the shat between said bearings, a separator bowl pivotallysupported upon arranged above and adjacent to said main bearing toyieldingly resist ivotal movement of the bowl on said sha loosely saidshaft, and means 4 47. In a centrifugal self-balancing separater. orclarifier, thecombination of an up and having also a recessin said topthatextends `to t separator bowl avm supported removably on said comcalfte the hollow. center -beingV provided with a projection smellyextendingfigto said j i" p l Intestimony vrAyv l ,I ax niysignatureinpresence oftwowmesses.

omen a. aiss.

e periphery of the shaft, andpa4 a hollow center sai shaft and pivotally

